Schultz left lasting legacy at UNF

Written by: Dave Roman
Photos by:

The
late Frederick H. Schultz was instrumental in the creation of the University of
North Florida and he will remain a part of the institution forever. Schultz,
who died Nov. 23, 2009 at age 80, left a legacy at UNF that can never be
duplicated.

As
Speaker of the House in the Florida Legislature, Fred Schultz sponsored the
legislation that created UNF. Frederick H. Schultz Hall, or Building 9,
the former home of the College of Education and Human Services, is named after
him, as is the first-floor lobby of Building 57, the new Education and Human
Services Building.

"Fred was a remarkable human being and a compassionate
community servant," said UNF President John A. Delaney. "He was
passionate about education and his accomplishments can be seen on our campus,
in the region and across the state."

Schultz funded UNF’s Andrew A. Robinson Eminent
Scholar Chair in Educational Policy and Economic Development, and over the
years he and the Schultz Foundation Inc. provided more than $1 million in
financial support for scholarships, University programs, projects and building
construction.

Schultz played a prominent role in the
development of the Florida Institute of Education on UNF’s campus. He created
the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership, which provides advanced
training for teachers and principals from Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St.
Johns County public schools. His efforts to improve education date back to the
1970s when he served as chairman of the Citizen’s Committee on Education, chairman
of the Florida Council on Education and as a member of the National Council on
Educational Research. In the 1980s he served as chairman of the Florida
Institute of Education.

“I count Fred Schultz as a true personal friend,” said Dr. Larry Daniel,
dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “We in the College of
Education and Human Services will remember him as an advocate for the teaching
profession and for his unflinching commitment to the educational achievement of
all children. Fred was also committed to the value of intellectual capital
and the good will of people working together. He had an uncanny gift for
getting things done by structuring meetings of the right people with the best
ideas at the right time.”

Schultz’s participation in public service began on the
Jacksonville Expressway Authority, which is known today as the Jacksonville
Transportation Authority. He served in the Florida Legislature from 1963 to
1970, including two years as Speaker of the House. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter
appointed him vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, where he served until
1982.

He was always a leader looking for solutions. He played a key
role in the city’s consolidation, the founding of Leadership Jacksonville and
the creation of the Jacksonville Community Council Inc., a local non-profit
that seeks to find solutions for local issues. He was also instrumental in the
development of the Alliance for World Class Education.

Schultz
graduated from Princeton University. He served in the U.S. Army during the
Korean Conflict and was awarded a Bronze Star. After the war he attended
University of Florida Law School but left to pursue family interests in
business. His business career was built upon a series of successful capital
ventures. He founded Florida Wire and Cable, Platt Pontiac and Florida Trend
Magazine. He also served on the board of directors of Barnett Bank, American
Heritage Life, Southeast Atlantic Beverage, Transco Energy and Florida Steel.

When
Schultz was 16, his mother asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He
told her he wanted to help people, and she never let him forget it. He spent
much of his life working to improve public education and government and, as a
result, helping people.